Governor's Office for Local DevelopmentGovernor Ernie Fletcher Announces Funding for Bradfordsville and Loretto

Press Release Date:

Friday, March 24, 2006

Contact Information:

Samantha CookPublic Information Officer1-800-346-5606

Governor Ernie Fletcher and the Governor’s Office for Local Development (GOLD) today announced a $28,310 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant and a $25,000 Recreational Trails grant for the city of Bradfordsville. Additionally, the city of Loretto will receive a $20,000 GOLD Community Funds award.

Land and Water Conservation Funds will be used to renovate the baseball field and fixtures.Renovations will be complete with dugouts, bleachers, fencing and a scoreboard.

“With this funding, MarionCounty residents will have their recreational facilities improved in order to provide better services,” said Governor Fletcher. “My administration is dedicated to ensuring that all Kentuckians have a place where they can come together as a family and get physically fit.”

Recreational Trails funds will be used to construct a paved trail to connect DryePark with the school and city hall.

Senator Dan Kelly (R-Springfield) stated, "There are many factors that contribute to a high quality of life and one of those is having a good place for recreational activities. I applaud MarionCounty local officials, particularly Bradfordsville and Loretto officials, for their commitment to creating a wholesome environment for families to have fun."

Community Funds will be used as gap funding for the completion of the LorettoPark bathrooms.

“Kentucky ranks very poorly in regards to health issues, in particular obesity and heart disease," Representative Jimmy Higdon (R-Lebanon) said. "The only way to tackle our health problems is with physical fitness programs. I'm glad to see over $70,000 coming into our community to help us continue to promote fitness programs and athletics."

The Land and Water Conservation Fund provides grant funds to protect important natural areas, to acquire land for outdoor recreation and to develop or renovate public outdoor recreation facilities such as camp grounds, picnic areas, sports and playfields, swimming facilities, boating facilities, fishing facilities, trails, natural area and passive parks.The LWCF is funded by the National Park Service and administered by GOLD.

The Recreational Trails Program is funded through the Federal Highway Administration and may be used to acquire land for recreational trails and to develop and renovate trails for both motorized and non-motorized use.Recreational Trails funding is administered by the Governor’s Office for Local Development.

Community Funds are monies available to GOLD due to streamlining and efficiency efforts creating an excess of monies in its general fund.These funds can be allocated as gap funding for projects that may otherwise not be eligible for grant funding from GOLD administered programs, giving the money back to the community.GOLD funds are given based on availability and administered by GOLD.